In March of this year, an article in the WSJ featured the bullion-coin investment strategy of Jim Rogers, a colleague of George Soros' in years past. Some of you probably saw the article. He's buying North Korean gold commemorative coins. This is what the article said: By invest in, Mr. Rogers means he wants to wager against the long-term prospects for the isolated, economically struggling country. He views his purchase as a bet on the collapse of North Korea. "At some point down the line, North Korea will cease existing as a country. Then the value of the coins will go up," Mr. Rogers said. My question is this: I know the guy has been investing for a long time, but is the idea that just because a given government ceases to exist, the precious-metal coins it issues will then increase in value? I only ask because I know nothing about bullion investing. I've learned a lot about bullion from others at this forum, so it'd be nice to see others' opinions about this.
It will just take a long long long time. Take a look at some of the earlier issues of Russia, China - some of the earlier issues may be a big eye opener in terms of prices. I wouldn't really call their coins as bullions. The most expensive set that I've seen so far is the 1988 gold coin set. Some of their issues are as low as 250. But put that aside - would you support their regime? I wouldn't.
I'll remember what you said about the "bullion" status of DPRK coins... yeah, I guess that's right. Yeah, I don't like their commemorative coins in any case: They seem to be made solely to raise cash (USD and Euros), but what I really don't like is the fact that they make far too many, and in so many varieties. It comes off as desperate and unbecoming...
With their history of counterfeiting US coins and currency, I don't know if I'd trust any of their coins enough to be what they claim them to be.
If he does, and isn't expecting a premium, North Korean coins (especially the generals series) are really nice coins.
